Praise and Worship Service
Worship Service
Lectionary Theme: Call to shoulder each other's burdens / Third Sunday of the Lent
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2 Samuel 9:1-13 First Lesson
1. David asked, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2. Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and he was summoned to David. The king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “At your service!”
3. The king said, “Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” Ziba said to the king, “There remains a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”
4. The king said to him, “Where is he?” Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”
5. Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.
6. Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, and fell on his face and did obeisance. David said, “Mephibosheth!” He answered, “I am your servant.”
7. David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan; I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always.”
8. He did obeisance and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I?”
9. Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.
10. You and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him, and shall bring in the produce, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat; but your master’s grandson Mephibosheth shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11. Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons.
12. Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants.
13. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
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Galatians 6:1-10 Second Lesson
1. My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.
2. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves.
4. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride.
5. For all must carry their own loads.
6. Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
7. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.
8. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
9. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.
10. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. Final Admonitions and Benediction
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Romans 12:9-21 Epistle
9. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
10. love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
11. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
13. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
18. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
20. No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.”
21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Mark 2:1-12 Gospel
1. When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.
2. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.
3. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.
4. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.
5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6. Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
7. “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8. At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?
9. Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’?
10. But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—
11. “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.”
12. And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Jesus Calls Levi